AIRCRAFT STOWAGE UNIT
The present disclosure relates to an aircraft stowage unit configured to provide a footwell for an adjacent seating unit.
The present disclosure relates to an aircraft stowage unit.
Description of the Related ArtThe “background” description provided is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in the background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
There is growing demand for air travel and, as a result, airlines desire to increase the seating capacity of existing aircraft. The space available on an aircraft is limited and an aircraft must include stowage in addition to the passengers themselves, for example to store suitable equipment for passenger comfort and safety.
This is particularly the case with modern aircraft where engine efficiency means smaller aircraft can travel longer distances. Accordingly, due to extended durations more meals and on-board service for the passengers is required to be stowed in a smaller aircraft cabin.
It is therefore desirable to reduce the footprint of this stowage and minimise wasted space on the aircraft.
Free space may also be created on the aircraft by utilising the available space more efficiently. This free space may then be used to seat additional passengers and therefore increase the seating capacity of the aircraft.
This disclosure aims to at least address one of the above problems.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure is defined by the claims.
Non-limiting embodiments and advantages of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTSIn this arrangement, the length of the stowage unit 100 when measured along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft (the ‘longitudinal length’) is 35″ (89 cm). The longitudinal length of the total space incorporating the stowage unit 100, the footwell 102 and the remaining wasted space between the stowage unit 100 and the adjacent seating unit 101 is 55″ (139.7 cm).
In an embodiment, the stowage unit 200 is 19″ (48 cm) in length when measured along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The stowage unit 200 including the footwell 202 therefore represents, in embodiments, a 36″ (91.4 cm) reduction in space longitudinally in comparison to the stowage unit 100, the footwell 102 and the remaining wasted space between the stowage unit 100 and the adjacent seating unit 101 in the known arrangement of
In an embodiment, the adjacent seating unit 201 is configured such that the longitudinal axis of the seat is positioned at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. This allows a plurality of identical seating units to be arranged alongside each other such that wasted space is reduced (see
The footwell 202 included in the stowage unit 200 may have a shape that minimises the space taken up by the footwell 202 whilst ensuring that a passenger seated in the adjacent seating unit 201 would still be able to place their feet in the footwell 202. This reduces wasted space on the aircraft and allows more space in the stowage unit 200 to be used for stowage, allowing the total volume of the stowage unit 200 to be reduced. For example, the footwell 202 may include an inner surface 205 positioned at the same angle to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft as the angle of the seat of the adjacent seating unit 201.
In
The preparation and storage of food and drink is essential on aircrafts where a meal and/or refreshment service is provided to passengers, and therefore space efficiency is desirable for galley units containing the equipment and storage space necessary for such preparation and/or storage. For example, on long-haul flights more space is needed for such galley units due to an increase in meal and/or refreshment services but it is still desirable to maximise seating capacity. It may be particularly desirable for a galley unit to be located close to seating units, such as in the present embodiment, so that the meal and/or refreshment services are more readily accessible to the seated passengers (for example when the seating units are first class or business class seating units).
In the embodiment shown in
In this embodiment, the display panel 305 may allow a user to interact with and/or receive information regarding the contents of the galley unit. For example, the display panel 305 may allow a user to view or change the temperature of the chilled cabinet 405, to view the current capacity of the chilled cabinet 405 or to operate the drink preparation area 402. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard and the display panel 305 may allow a user to interact with and/or receive information regarding the components shown in
The display panel 305 may also allow a user to interact with and/or receive information regarding other functional components contained by the galley unit not shown in
In
In the embodiment shown in
In
The plurality of seating units 700 includes the adjacent seating unit 201 and a second seating unit 701. The two units are arranged such that the adjacent seating unit 201 is positioned between the second seating unit 701 and the stowage unit 200.
In this embodiment, the longitudinal length of each seating unit is 33.2″ (84.3 cm) when measured along the aisle of the aircraft (for example from the opening of the footwell 702 of the second seating unit 701 to the front face of the stowage unit 200). This can be seen in
From
Embodiments of the present disclosure may be defined by the following numbered clauses:
- Clause 1
An aircraft stowage unit configured to provide a footwell for an adjacent seating unit.
- Clause 2
An aircraft stowage unit according to Clause 1, wherein the aircraft stowage unit comprises an upper section and a lower section, the lower section configured to provide the footwell for the adjacent seating unit.
- Clause 3
An aircraft stowage unit according to any preceding Clause, wherein the aircraft stowage unit is a galley unit.
- Clause 4
An aircraft stowage unit according to Clause 3, wherein
the stowage unit comprises a storage unit configured to receive airline carts or containers, or
the stowage unit is configured to receive a meal preparation unit, or
the stowage unit is configured to receive a drink preparation unit, or
the stowage unit comprises a sink, or
the stowage unit comprises an outside surface facing towards the aisle of the aircraft, the outside surface including a display panel, or
the stowage unit comprises an outside surface facing towards the aisle of the aircraft, the outside surface including a lighting component, or
the stowage unit comprises an outside surface facing towards the aisle of the aircraft, the outside surface including a lighting component positioned on the outside surface such that the vertical distance between it and the base of the stowage unit is up to 15 cm, or
the stowage unit comprises an outside surface facing towards the aisle of the aircraft, the outside surface including an LED strip.
- Clause 5
An aircraft stowage unit according to any preceding Clause, wherein the aircraft stowage unit comprises a heated unit.
- Clause 6
An aircraft stowage unit according to any preceding Clause, wherein the aircraft stowage unit comprises a refrigerated unit.
- Clause 7
An aircraft stowage unit according to any preceding Clause, wherein the length of the stowage unit along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft is less than 70 cm.
- Clause 8
An aircraft stowage unit according to any preceding Clause, wherein the length of the stowage unit along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft is less than 60 cm.
- Clause 9
An aircraft stowage unit according to any preceding Clause, wherein the length of the stowage unit along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft is less than 50 cm.
- Clause 10
An aircraft seating arrangement comprising an aircraft stowage unit according to any preceding Clause and an adjacent seating unit.
- Clause 11
An aircraft seating arrangement according to Clause 10, wherein the adjacent seating unit comprises a seat including controls for causing the seat to recline to a substantially horizontal position such that it becomes suitable for use as a bed, and when the seat is in the substantially horizontal position the footwell forms part of the bed surface.
- Clause 12
An aircraft seating arrangement according to Clause 10, wherein
the adjacent seating unit comprises a seat, and
the longitudinal axis of the seat is positioned at less than 90 degrees to a front surface of the stowage unit, wherein the front surface of the stowage unit faces towards the adjacent seating unit.
- Clause 13
An aircraft seating arrangement according to Clause 10, wherein
the seating unit comprises a seat, and
the longitudinal axis of the seat is positioned at less than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
- Clause 14
An aircraft seating arrangement according to Clause 10, wherein
the seating unit is one of a plurality of seating units, and
the plurality of seating units is arranged such that they form two columns with a single aisle between the two columns.
- Clause 15
An aircraft seating arrangement according to Clause 10, wherein
the aircraft stowage unit is a first aircraft stowage unit,
the aircraft seating arrangement further comprises a second aircraft stowage unit separate from the first aircraft stowage unit,
the first aircraft stowage unit comprises a front surface unit that faces away from the second aircraft stowage unit and the second aircraft stowage unit comprises a back surface that faces away from the first aircraft stowage unit, and
the distance along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft between the front surface of the first aircraft stowage unit and the back surface of the second aircraft stowage unit is less than 260 cm.
- Clause 16
An aircraft seating arrangement according to Clause 10, wherein
the aircraft stowage unit is a first aircraft stowage unit,
the aircraft seating arrangement further comprises a second aircraft stowage unit separate from the first aircraft stowage unit,
the first aircraft stowage unit comprises a front surface that faces away from the second aircraft stowage unit and the second aircraft stowage unit comprises a back surface that faces away from the first aircraft stowage unit, and
the distance along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft between the front surface of the first aircraft stowage unit and the back surface of the second aircraft stowage unit is less than 245 cm.
- Clause 17
An aircraft seating arrangement according to Clause 10, wherein
the adjacent seating unit is a first seating unit,
the aircraft seating arrangement further comprises a second seating unit, and the first seating unit is positioned between the second seating unit and the aircraft stowage unit.
- Clause 18
An aircraft seating arrangement according to Clause 17, wherein
the first seating unit and the second seating unit each comprise a seat including controls for causing the seat to recline to a substantially horizontal position such that it becomes suitable for use as a bed, and
when a seat is in the substantially horizontal position a footwell forms part of the bed surface.
- Clause 19
An aircraft seating arrangement according to Clause 17, wherein
the stowage unit comprises a front surface that faces towards the first seating unit, and
the distance along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft between the opening of the footwell of the second seating unit and the front surface of the stowage unit is less than 200 cm.
- Clause 20
An aircraft seating arrangement according to Clause 17, wherein
the stowage unit comprises a front surface that faces towards the first seating unit, and
the distance along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft between the opening of the footwell of the second seating unit and the front surface of the stowage unit is less than 175 cm.
- Clause 21
An aircraft seating arrangement according to Clause 17, wherein
the stowage unit comprises a front surface that faces towards the first seating unit, and the distance along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft between the opening of the footwell of the second seating unit and the front surface of the stowage unit is less than 150 cm.
Numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with some embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be described in connection with particular embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognize that various features of the described embodiments may be combined in any manner suitable to implement the technique.
Numerous modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with some embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be described in connection with particular embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognize that various features of the described embodiments may be combined in any manner suitable to implement the technique.
Claims
1. An aircraft stowage unit configured to provide a footwell for an adjacent seating unit.
2. The aircraft stowage unit according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft stowage unit comprises an upper section and a lower section, the lower section configured to provide the footwell for the adjacent seating unit.
3. The aircraft stowage unit according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft stowage unit is a galley unit.
4. The aircraft stowage unit according to claim 3, wherein
- the stowage unit comprises a storage unit configured to receive airline carts or containers, or
- the stowage unit is configured to receive a meal preparation unit, or
- the stowage unit is configured to receive a drink preparation unit, or
- the stowage unit comprises a sink, or
- the stowage unit comprises an outside surface facing towards the aisle of the aircraft, the outside surface including a display panel, or
- the stowage unit comprises an outside surface facing towards the aisle of the aircraft, the outside surface including a lighting component, or
- the stowage unit comprises an outside surface facing towards the aisle of the aircraft, the outside surface including a lighting component positioned on the outside surface such that the vertical distance between it and the base of the stowage unit is up to 15 cm, or
- the stowage unit comprises an outside surface facing towards the aisle of the aircraft, the outside surface including an LED strip.
5. The aircraft stowage unit according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft stowage unit comprises a heated unit.
6. The aircraft stowage unit according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft stowage unit comprises a refrigerated unit.
7. The aircraft stowage unit according to claim 1, wherein the length of the stowage unit along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft is less than 70 cm.
8. The aircraft stowage unit according to claim 1, wherein the length of the stowage unit along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft is less than 60 cm.
9. The aircraft stowage unit according to claim 1, wherein the length of the stowage unit along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft is less than 50 cm.
10. The aircraft seating arrangement comprising an aircraft stowage unit according to claim 1 and an adjacent seating unit.
11. The aircraft seating arrangement according to claim 10, wherein
- the adjacent seating unit comprises a seat including controls for causing the seat to recline to a substantially horizontal position such that it becomes suitable for use as a bed, and
- when the seat is in the substantially horizontal position the footwell forms part of the bed surface.
12. The aircraft seating arrangement according to claim 10, wherein
- the adjacent seating unit comprises a seat, and
- the longitudinal axis of the seat is positioned at less than 90 degrees to a front surface of the stowage unit, wherein the front surface of the stowage unit faces towards the adjacent seating unit.
13. The aircraft seating arrangement according to claim 10, wherein
- the seating unit comprises a seat, and
- the longitudinal axis of the seat is positioned at less than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
14. The aircraft seating arrangement according to claim 10, wherein
- the seating unit is one of a plurality of seating units, and
- the plurality of seating units is arranged such that they form two columns with a single aisle between the two columns.
15. The aircraft seating arrangement according to claim 10, wherein
- the aircraft stowage unit is a first aircraft stowage unit,
- the aircraft seating arrangement further comprises a second aircraft stowage unit separate from the first aircraft stowage unit,
- the first aircraft stowage unit comprises a front surface unit that faces away from the second aircraft stowage unit and the second aircraft stowage unit comprises a back surface that faces away from the first aircraft stowage unit, and
- the distance along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft between the front surface of the first aircraft stowage unit and the back surface of the second aircraft stowage unit is less than 260 cm.
16. The aircraft seating arrangement according to claim 10, wherein
- the aircraft stowage unit is a first aircraft stowage unit,
- the aircraft seating arrangement further comprises a second aircraft stowage unit separate from the first aircraft stowage unit,
- the first aircraft stowage unit comprises a front surface that faces away from the second aircraft stowage unit and the second aircraft stowage unit comprises a back surface that faces away from the first aircraft stowage unit, and
- the distance along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft between the front surface of the first aircraft stowage unit and the back surface of the second aircraft stowage unit is less than 245 cm.
17. The aircraft seating arrangement according to claim 10, wherein
- the adjacent seating unit is a first seating unit,
- the aircraft seating arrangement further comprises a second seating unit, and
- the first seating unit is positioned between the second seating unit and the aircraft stowage unit.
18. The aircraft seating arrangement according to claim 17, wherein
- the first seating unit and the second seating unit each comprise a seat including controls for causing the seat to recline to a substantially horizontal position such that it becomes suitable for use as a bed, and
- when a seat is in the substantially horizontal position a footwell forms part of the bed surface.
19. The aircraft seating arrangement according to claim 17, wherein
- the stowage unit comprises a front surface that faces towards the first seating unit, and
- the distance along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft between the opening of the footwell of the second seating unit and the front surface of the stowage unit is less than 200 cm.
20. The aircraft seating arrangement according to claim 17, wherein
- the stowage unit comprises a front surface that faces towards the first seating unit, and
- the distance along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft between the opening of the footwell of the second seating unit and the front surface of the stowage unit is less than 175 cm.
21. The aircraft seating arrangement according to claim 17, wherein
- the stowage unit comprises a front surface that faces towards the first seating unit, and
- the distance along the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft between the opening of the footwell of the second seating unit and the front surface of the stowage unit is less than 150 cm.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 29, 2022
Publication Date: Sep 29, 2022
Inventors: Ross BURNS (Bournemouth), Andrew JACOBS (Bournemouth), Helena TEICHRIB (Bournemouth)
Application Number: 17/707,672